Monday 31 August 2009

Background

In the years immediately following the death and resurrection ofJesus, the first Christians faced the issue of what the futurewould hold. They believed that Jesus would come again at some pointin the future - but were unsure as to when that event would takeplace. Initially, the expectation was that the Resurrection wouldbe followed within a short period of time by the second coming ofJesus, when his power would be more clearly shown to all.

However, as time moved on, and Jesus had not immediately returnedto his followers, as they expected, these ideas had to be revisedand other questions began to be asked. Among these was thesituation of Christian believers who had died. What would happen tothem at the second coming? Linked to that was the question as tohow the situation of those who had died related to the situation ofthose who remained alive at that point in history.

These questions may seem to us - looking back over 2000 years - toinvolve trying to know the unknowable, but clearly they arequestions with both theological and pastoral implications.

Paul's answer (as writer of this letter) to the theologicalquestions is seen in his understanding of Jesus "descending fromheaven" in the second coming, and how that event will leadinitially to the resurrection of Christian believers who have died,and then to a moment when those who remain alive are "caught up inthe clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air".

To describe these events in such detail may seem overly speculativeto the modern reader. Those with a different idea of cosmology andof the structure of the universe may find the special imagery ofPaul difficult at this point. What is clear, however, is thatPaul's pastoral point is still of great significance. Paul is keento make it clear that Christian believers are to be a people ofhope; a people who seek to encourage each other with the confidentbelief that at some time in the future all who believe in Jesuswill be with him in a life which is beyond what we know now. Ofcourse we grieve at the death of those who are precious to us - butwe are also to be a people of hope.

To Ponder

In what ways does Paul's imagery, in this part ofhis letter to the Thessalonians, help us today to have a hope forthe future? In what ways do you find this imagery challenging?

To grieve after the death of someone we love isan important process. How can we hold on to the hope which Paulpresents while still allowing ourselves and others to grieveproperly at times of loss?